Mucin Genes Expressed by Human Female Reproductive Tract Epithelia1

Abstract

Recent characterizations of mucins at the molecular level indicate that at least eight mucin genes are expressed by epithelia of mucosal surfaces. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these cloned mucins, designated MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC6, and MUC7, are expressed by epithelia of the female reproductive tract. Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were performed using RNA and tissue from surgically removed human reproductive tract specimens including endocervix, ectocervix, vagina, endometrium, and fallopian tube. Complementary DNA to the tandem repeat regions of MUCs 1, 2, 3, 5AC, 5B, and 6; oligonucleotides to the tandem repeat regions of MUCs 4, 6, and 7; and antibodies that recognize unique mucin tandem repeats were used. The data demonstrate that the endocervical epithelium expresses five mucin genes: MUCs 1, 4, 5AC, 5B, and 6. The ectocervical and vaginal epithelia express MUCs 1 and 4, although vaginal expression of MUC4 appears patchy. Endometrial epithelium expresses MUC1 and low amounts of MUC6. MUC6 immunoreactivity was detected only is scattered endometrial glands located in the basalis region in specimens from pre- and postmenopausal women. The only mucin detected in the fallopian tube was MUC1. These data indicate that the endocervical epithelium expresses multiple mucin genes and that the stratified epithelia of the ectocervix and vagina also produce mucins that may function in reproductive processes and protection of the reproductive tract tissues.

Eosinophilic cell change of the endometrium: a possible relationship to mucinous differentiation

“…In normal human female reproductive tract epithelia, MUCs1, 4, 5AC, 5B, and 6 were identified in uterine cervical mucosa, and MUCs1 and 6 have been identified in the endometrium. 8 MUC2 was identified in immature squamous metaplasia of the uterine cervix. 16 The present study using immunohistochemistry for mucin core proteins also confirmed similar mucin core protein between normal endocervical mucinous epithelium and mucinous metaplasia of both normal and pathological endometrium.…”

“…We did not examine MUC1 expression in the present study because MUC1 is already known to be expressed in almost any normal epithelial cells, not only in the female genital tract 8 but also in many other organs. 9 …”

Quantification of Human β-Defensin-2 and -3 in Body Fluids: Application for Studies of Innate Immunity

“…Because large anionic glycoproteins, i.e., mucins, are abundantly present in saliva (24 ) and in other epithelial cell-derived body fluids (25,26 ), we conducted ELISAs of Saliva samples were serially diluted as indicated with PBS. For comparison of linearity, serially diluted recombinant hBDs were used.…”

Response toNeisseria gonorrhoeaeby Cervicovaginal Epithelial Cells Occurs in the Absence of Toll-Like Receptor 4-Mediated Signaling

“…Thus, the epithelial cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells associated with the genital tract have unique features that enable them to adapt to this dynamic milieu. This would include the expression of hormone receptors, hormone-dependent immune function, and unique genital tract-specific defensins and mucins (1)(2)(3)(4)(5).…”

“…In this study we determined the expression profiles of members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 family in human cervicovaginal epithelial cells and correlated this with proinflammatory responses to bacterial pathogens. The TLR family plays a pivotal role in the recognition of bacterial ligands by the innate immune system (11,12).…”